Heat and moisture exchanger

ABSTRACT

A device for passive humidification of tracheostomized or intubated patients, comprising an outer body which forms an opening for connection to the patient and is connected to at least one seat of a filtering element which is connected to the outside, the device further comprising, on the outer body, a coupling for connection to at least one oxygen delivery duct which ends proximate to the outer part of the filtering element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for passivehumidification of tracheostomized or intubated patients.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Currently, in patients with tracheal intubation andtracheostomized patients devices are used for compensating for the lackof humidification and heating of the inspired gases which occurs innormal conditions in the upper respiratory tract.

[0003] In order to perform this function, these devices are constitutedby a hygroscopic element, generally constituted by a coiled ribbon whichis meant to retain moisture and heat during expiration and release themduring inspiration.

[0004] Currently known embodiments are generally relatively bulky andtherefore they are poorly accepted in home-care cases; moreover, theyrequire the presence of additional devices whenever it is necessary toperform oxygen enrichment.

[0005] Another problem is that if bronchoaspiration is to be performed,the device must be removed from the patient, with the obvious relateddifficulties.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above noteddrawbacks, by providing a device for passive humidification oftracheostomized or intubated patients which is designed so as to beparticularly suitable for home care since it has a flattened shape whichis aesthetically more acceptable, thus facilitating the social impact ofthe discharged patient.

[0007] Within this aim, a particular object of the invention is toprovide a device in which it is possible to perform oxygen enrichmentwithout having to resort to external devices and which also allows toperform bronchoaspiration without removing the device from the patient.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a devicewhich by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics iscapable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety inuse.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a devicefor passive humidification of tracheostomized or intubated patientswhich can be easily obtained starting from commonly commerciallyavailable elements and materials and is also competitive from a merelyeconomical point of view.

[0010] This aim and these and other objects which will become betterapparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for passive humidificationof tracheostomized or intubated patients, according to the invention,comprising an outer body which has an opening for connection to thepatient and is connected to at least one seat of a filtering elementwhich is connected to the outside, characterized in that it comprises,on said outer body, a coupling for connection to at least one oxygendelivery duct which ends proximate to the outer part of said filteringelement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages will become betterapparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusiveembodiment of a device for passive humidification of tracheostomized orintubated patients, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to theinvention, taken from the side directed toward the patient;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a partially cutout view of the device;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] With reference to the figures, the device for passivehumidification of tracheostomized or intubated patients, according tothe invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1,comprises an outer body 2 which is formed by a pair of flattened andmutually inclined wings 3 between which there is an opening 4 forconnection to the patient.

[0016] Two seats 5 are formed inside the outer body 2, specifically atthe ends of the wings, and are arranged symmetrically with respect tothe centerline of the outer body; respective filtering elements 6 can beaccommodated in said seats and are constituted, in a per se knownmanner, by a ribbon optionally impregnated with hygroscopic salts, whichis wound around a core 7 which internally forms a channel 8 which isconnected to a coupling 10 which is in turn connected to an oxygendelivery duct 11 which divides into two branches so as to connect bothchannels 8, which end at the outer face of the filtering element 6.

[0017] In the region where the channel 8 ends, there is a cross-member15 which is adapted to retain the filtering element in its seat andfurther forms a redirection element which, being spaced from the outputend of the channel 8, conveys the oxygen back onto the outer surface ofthe filtering element, thus achieving air enrichment.

[0018] The outer body 2 has, at the opposite end with respect to theopening 4 for connection to the patient, a port 20 which can be closedby a plug 21 and which, by being in practice axially aligned with theopening 4, allows to perform bronchoaspiration without having to removethe device from the patient.

[0019] From the above description it is thus evident that the inventionachieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact isstressed that a device for passive humidification of tracheostomized orintubated patients is provided which in addition to having anaesthetically pleasant shape is extremely practical and functional,since it directly integrates the channels for performing oxygenenrichment.

[0020] Moreover, the presence of the port 20 allows to performbronchoaspiration without removing the device from the patient.

[0021] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerousmodifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of theinventive concept.

[0022] All the details may further be replaced with other technicallyequivalent elements.

[0023] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapesand dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

[0024] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2000A000659,from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein byreference.

1-7. (Cancelled)
 8. A device for passive humidification oftracheostomized or intubated patients, comprising: at least onefiltering and humidifying element having an internal channel; an outerbody enclosing said at least one filtering and humidifying element, saidouter body having a first opening adapted to connect to a patient, atleast one second opening adapted to receive said at least one filteringand humidifying element, at least one oxygen delivery duct, and acoupling on said outer body connected to said at least one oxygendelivery duct, said internal channel of said at least one filtering andhumidifying element being connected to said at least one oxygen deliveryduct to conduct oxygen from said at least one oxygen delivery ductthrough said internal channel; and at least one cross-member having afirst end pivotally connected to said outer body and a second endremovably connected to said outer body for removably retaining said atleast one filtering and humidifying element in said outer body, said atleast one cross-member being spaced apart from said channel of said atleast one filtering and humidifying element and redirecting oxygen fromsaid channel through said at least one second opening of said outer bodythrough said at least one filtering and humidifying element to saidfirst opening, so as to filter and humidify said oxygen supplied to thepatient from said oxygen delivery duct.
 9. The device according to claim8, wherein said at least one filtering and humidifying element comprisestwo filtering and humidifying elements, said at least one second openingcomprises two second openings, and said outer body comprises twomutually inclined flattened wings including said two second openings forreceiving said filtering humidifying elements.
 10. The device accordingto claim 9, wherein said first opening is arranged between said wings.11. The device according to claim 8, wherein said at least one filteringand humidifying element comprises a ribbon which is wound on a corewhich internally forms said internal channel connected to said oxygendelivery duct.
 12. The device according to claim 8, wherein said atleast one delivery duct comprises a plurality of branches, and saidcoupling is connected to said plurality of branches of said at least onedelivery duct, and wherein said plurality of branches are arrangedmutually opposite.
 13. The device according to claim 8, wherein saidouter body comprises a port which can be removably closed by a plug, andwherein said port is arranged so as to be substantially axially alignedwith respect to said first opening.